In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher welcome Levin Sliker, co-founder and CEO of Point Designs, a pioneering company that creates durable, 3D-printed prosthetic fingers. Levin shares his inspiring journey from academia to entrepreneurship, detailing how a university project aimed at solving a real-world problem evolved into a mission-driven company reshaping prosthetic care for people with partial hand amputations.

The conversation delves into the surprising prevalence and psychological impact of finger loss, and how Point Designs is addressing a historically underserved market. Levin discusses the origin of the company’s technology, which began with metal 3D printing at the University of Colorado, and how early relationships and lean operations helped the team bootstrap their way to profitability.

Levin also outlines Point Designs' unique approach to funding—relying on grants rather than venture capital—and how this enabled slow, sustainable growth while staying mission-focused. He explains the importance of customer relationships, founder-led sales, and rapid iteration in product development. The episode also highlights the regulatory hurdles, the role of AI in customization, and the company's ongoing advocacy work to ensure broader insurance coverage for these life-changing devices.

Listeners will walk away with deep insights into the intersection of innovation, accessibility, and purpose-driven business—and the power of solving real problems with empathy, creativity, and resilience.

Links & Resources:

Levin Sliker: LinkedIn

Point Designs: Website

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.